Law Enforcement, Local Community Remember Fallen Officers At Service

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Honor Guard salute the flag lowered to half-staff at a ceremony for Peace Officer Memorial Day on May 15. A total of 14 officers from around the Columbia River Gorge who lost their lives in the line of duty over the years were commemorated during the ceremony. A bell was rung for each of the 14 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout the Columbia River Gorge over the years.
Photo by Amber Marra.

Law enforcement officers from across the Columbia River Gorge and members of the Bingen and White Salmon community gathered at Fireman’s Park last week to honor those who protect, serve, and some who have made the ultimate sacrifice to do so.

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week have been observed since 1961 and the White Salmon City Council passed a resolution to honor law enforcement officers throughout the week of May 11 to 17 and those who have fallen in the line of duty especially on May 15.

After an invocation and welcome by Chaplin Jamie Adams during last Thursday’s ceremony, White Salmon Mayor Dave Poucher read the proclamation passed by the city council during their May 7 meeting.

“Whereas, it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of the law enforcement agencies and that members of the law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression,” Poucher read.

Following the reading of the proclamation, Skamania County Sheriff Dave Brown spoke to the small crowd of law enforcement officers, public officials, and community members about the responsibilities they share and remembering those who have lost their lives.

“It is an honor and privilege to speak before you today on behalf of the law enforcement community of the Columbia River Gorge,” Brown said.

During his comments, Brown read from a speech made by Ohio State Supreme Court Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger during Peace Officers Memorial Day in 2011.

“We often forget to thank our good officers until circumstances force us to acknowledge how important their gift of service is. When a peace officer is killed, as the verse states, ‘a part of America dies,’” Brown read. “In such a tragic event some of us stand up and take notice. We recall the risk. We remind ourselves that random violent acts can rip the heart from a family at any time. That bullet or knife or car or fist might bring down a defender of the law and order at any time. In a sense, they’ve made themselves targets, for as law enforcement they’re expected to be there in the midst of violence.”

Following Brown’s remarks, Bingen-White Salmon Police Chief Tracy Wycoff read the names of the 14 law enforcement officials from across the Columbia River Gorge who have died in the line of duty. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard also conducted a salute as the flag was lowered to half-staff while TAPs was played by Stevenson High School student, Nicholas Heuker. A rendition of Amazing Grace performed by Columbia High School student, Justin Ellis, followed.